‘Land disputes hamper Sanral’s road development projects’

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) continues to navigate various challenges as it acquires land for road development projects in various provinces.

The entity says land acquisition has been a contentious issue in various projects.

Officials are in Mpumalanga on an engagement with traditional leaders and communities on the acquisition of land for the multi-billion-rand (R573) Moloto Road extension.

Sanral Project Manager David Thubane says they’ve in recent years had to refer several land acquisition disputes to the Ministry of Transport for intervention.

“There are some cases where they (residents) want an excessive amount of compensation. We call that failure negotiations and give it to the minister of transport to apply her mind. We’ve had a lot of instances where the minister has had to come in (intervene). People don’t like that either but we are not forcing our powers or imposing into their houses,” he explains.

Land acquisition hurdles for SANRAL